Treating Sun-Damaged Skin

The sun’s effects on your skin can be very harsh. The three most common types of damage that result from prolonged sun exposure are brown spots or blemishes, fine lines or wrinkles, and inflamed skin or sunburn. Here’s how each of these can be treated:

1. Brown Spots/Blemishes – Skin peel treatments and microdermabrasions are recommended. These two treatments remove the top layers of your skin where the blemishes and brown spots are located. They then expose the younger, smoother and supple layers underneath. The difference between these two treatments is that a skin peel treatment uses chemicals to peel the layer of skin off to get the job done, while microdermabrasion treatments use a device with crystal tips that literally scrape away the top layer of your skin.

2. Fine Lines/Wrinkles – A combination of fillers and injectables like Botox can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Fillers can add volume back to your skin, while injectables like Botox will relax your muscles to prolong the effect by restricting extreme movement that can aggravate the wrinkles. Laser resurfacing treatments can also be an option. What this treatment does is send laser energy deep into your skin’s layers to stimulate collagen production and cell renewal. Both treatments have virtually no downtime and can have long-lasting results.

3. Sunburn – This is the most common form of sun damage. The best way to treat mild sunburn is to moisturize using a hydrating lotion. Lotions that contain aloe vera can soothe your sunburned skin and help protect it from further damage. You will want to wear clothing that does not rub off too much against your skin, so loose-fitting clothes and breathable fabrics are recommended. Sunburns usually go away with time, but if yours persists or if it is accompanied by fever or severe swelling, redness and discomfort, then you may want to visit an emergency center at a hospital.